Located on the Lange Beestenmarkt in The Hague, the Hof van Wouw is one of the city’s most remarkable courtyards. Founded in the 17th century, it was named after Cornelia van Wouw, an extraordinary woman who left a lasting mark on the city.
Born in 1601, Cornelia was the granddaughter of The Hague’s mayor, Jacobus van Wouw. She remained unmarried and led an independent life—rare for her time. In 1647, she was mistakenly declared dead and placed in a coffin after a near-death experience. Thanks to the persistence of her maid, Elsje Ariëns, who refused to believe she was gone, Cornelia was saved. Grateful, she later founded a charitable trust and appointed Elsje as the first gatekeeper of the courtyard.
The foundation offered shelter to unmarried Protestant Christian women over the age of 50 who lacked financial means. Cornelia ensured they received a monthly stipend and maintained the buildings. She lived in the courtyard herself until her death on September 25, 1681.
Above the entrance gate on Lange Beestenmarkt, you’ll see a swan with a crown-shaped collar—a symbol of the Van Wouw family’s old swan rights. The courtyard still represents peace, solidarity, and mutual care. A hidden gem in the heart of the city.
Sources. Story: Source Story: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hof_van_Wouw Photos: Source photo: 1. Dwergenpaartje, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons 2. Dwergenpaartje, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons 3. Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
